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United States Patent |
6,196,132
|
Hubner
|
March 6, 2001
|
Bellows of a connecting corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles or
vehicle parts
Abstract
Bellows of a connecting corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles or
vehicle parts, whereas the bellows is provided with several bellows
elements connected together, whereas each bellows element is showing two
opposite legs in the initial state of the bellows, whereas, for additional
thermal insulation and silencing, each of the two opposite legs (4, 5) of
a bellows element are provided on their inner side with at least one
strap-joint (10, 20) provided with a coated tissue, whereas the two
strap-joints (10, 20) are overlapping.
Inventors:
|
Hubner; Reinhard (Kassel, DE)
|
Assignee:
|
Hubner Gummi und Kunststoff GmbH (Kassel, DE)
|
Appl. No.:
|
305711 |
Filed:
|
May 5, 1999 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| May 12, 1998[DE] | 198 21 083 |
Current U.S. Class: |
105/18; 105/3; 105/8.1; 105/15; 280/403 |
Intern'l Class: |
B60D 005/00 |
Field of Search: |
105/3,4.1,8.1,15,18
280/403
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
544203 | Nov., 1992 | Hubner | 105/18.
|
1063607 | Jun., 1913 | Schroyer | 105/18.
|
4127535 | Feb., 1993 | Schroyer | 105/18.
|
4138922 | Jun., 1993 | Walter.
| |
Foreign Patent Documents |
1 057 639 | May., 1959 | DE.
| |
GM 1964739 | Jul., 1967 | DE.
| |
124 57 634 C2 | Feb., 1982 | DE.
| |
0 544 203 A1 | Jun., 1992 | DE.
| |
41 27 535 A1 | Feb., 1993 | DE.
| |
41 38 922 A1 | Jun., 1993 | DE.
| |
4127535A1 | Feb., 1993 | GB | .
|
Primary Examiner: Morano; S. Joseph
Assistant Examiner: Jules; Frantz F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Vigil; Thomas R.
Claims
I claim:
1. Bellows for a connecting corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles or
vehicle parts, said bellows being provided with at least two bellows
elements connected together and each bellows element having two opposite
legs when the bellows is in an at rest condition,
characterized in that, for additional thermal insulation and silencing,
each of the two opposite legs (4,5) of each bellows element is provided on
an inner side of each leg with at least one strap-joint (10,20) made of a
flexible synthetic material, and with the at least two strap-joints
(10,20) overlapping each other.
2. Device according to claim 1,
characterized in that at least one of the at least two strap-joints (10,20)
is provided with an insulating layer (12,22).
3. Strap-joint according to claim 1,
characterized in that at least one of the at least two strap-joints (10,20)
is provided on one side with an insulating layer and on its free end with
a hook-like sleeve (13,23) which engages with and is fixed to the
strap-joint (10,20) as well as to the insulating layer (12,22).
4. Device according to claim 1,
characterized in that at least one of the at least two strap-joints (10,20)
is arranged, together with an insulating layer, in the area of an arch of
each bellows element, enabling thus the bellows elements to contract
slightly in a curve.
5. Bellows according to claim 1,
characterized in that at least one of the at least two strap-joints (10,20)
is provided on one side with an insulating layer and that one side of each
bellows element (1) is provided with a cover (40) that protects at least a
part of at least one of the at least two strap-joints (10,20) over the
width of the insulating layer (12,22).
6. Bellows according to claim 5,
characterized in that the cover (40) has an arch building or defining a
hollow space (45) aligned opposite a bow of at least one of the at least
two bellows elements (1).
7. Bellows according to claim 5, characterized in that the cover (40) may
be arranged on the strap-joints (10, 20).
8. Bellows according to claim 1, characterized in that the bellows elements
(1) may be connected to each other by means of frame beads (30).
9. Bellows according to claim 1, characterized in that the strap-joints
(10,20) of the legs (4,5) of a bellows element (1) are fixed together by a
frame bead (30).
10. Bellows according to claim 1, characterized in that the bellows (1) is
designed as a concertina bellows or as an expansion bellows.
11. Bellows according to claim 1, characterized in that the strap-joint
(10, 20) is planiform.
12. Bellows according to claim 1, characterized in that each strap-joint
(10,20) covers at least the height of the bellows element between the legs
(4, 5).
13. Bellows according to claim 1, characterized in that each strap-joint
(10,20) covers substantially the entire inner side of each bellows
element.
14. Bellows for a connecting corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles, or
vehicle parts, said bellows being provided with several bellows elements
connected together and each bellows element having two opposite legs when
the bellows is in an at rest condition,
characterized in that, for additional thermal insulation and silencing,
each of the two opposite legs (4,5) of each bellows element is provided on
an inner side of each leg with at least one strap-joint (10,20) made of a
flexible synthetic material, with the two strap-joints (10,20) overlapping
each other and with each strap joint (10,20) having on one side thereof an
insulating layer (12,22).
15. Bellows for a connecting corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles or
vehicle parts, said bellows being provided with several bellows elements
connected together and each bellows element having two opposite legs when
the bellows is in an at rest condition,
characterized in that, for additional thermal insulation and silencing,
each of the two opposite legs (4,5) of each bellows element is provided on
an inner side of each leg with at least one strap-joint (10,20) made of a
flexible synthetic material, with the two strap-joints (10,20) overlapping
each other and with at least one of said strap-joints being provided on
its free end with a hook-like sleeve (13,23) that engages with and is
fixed to at least one of said strap-joints (10,20) as well as to an
insulating layer (12,22) on one side of said at least one strap-joint (10,
20).
16. Bellows for a connecting corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles or
vehicle parts, said bellows being provided with several bellows elements
connected together and each bellows element having two opposite legs when
the bellows is in an at rest condition,
characterized in that, for additional thermal insulation and silencing,
each of the two opposite legs (4,5) of each bellows element is provided on
an inner side of each leg with at least one strap-joint (10,20) made of a
flexible synthetic material, with the two strap-joints (10,20) overlapping
each other and at least one of the at least two strap joints (10,20) being
arranged, together with an insulating layer on one side of the strap
joint, in the area of an arch of each bellows element, enabling the
bellows elements to contract slightly in a curve.
17. Bellows for a connecting corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles or
vehicle parts, said bellows being provided with several bellows elements
connected together and each bellows element having two opposite legs when
the bellows is in an at rest condition,
characterized in that, for additional thermal insulation and silencing,
each of the two opposite legs (4,5) of each bellows element are provided
on an inner side of each leg with at least one strap-joint (10,20) made of
a flexible synthetic material, and with the two strap-joints (10,20)
overlapping each other and the bellows element (1) being provided with a
cover (40) which protects at least a portion of one of said strap-joints
(10,20) over the width of an insulating layer (12,22) fixed to one side of
at least one of the strap joints (10, 20).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates to a bellows of a connecting corridor between
two hinge-linked vehicles or vehicle parts, whereas the bellows is
provided with several bellows elements connected together, whereas each
bellows element is showing two opposite legs in the initial state of the
bellows.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
A bellows of the type mentioned above is component part of the connecting
corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles or vehicle parts, for example
of an articulated bus, whereas the connecting corridor does not only
comprise the bellows but also an intercommunicating gangway, having for
example the aspect of an articulated gangway. Depending on the
requirements, the bellows may be designed as an expansion bellows or as a
concertina bellows. Such a bellows consists in individual folds or bends
standing in interconnection with each other and having the structure of an
accordion. Thanks to this structure, they are able to yield to all
occurring travelling motions of the vehicles, and more particularly in
curves and to swaying and nodding movements.
DE-A1 4127 535 discloses an expansion bellows having between its individual
folds elastic distance pieces whose function it is to bring the bellows
back into its initial position after a curve.
DE-A1 4138 922 describes the bellows of a connection cover that is
characterized by additional stiffening means in order to invest the
bellows altogether with a higher stability.
DE-GM 1964739 describes a fire-resisting bellows, whereas the bellows is
provided with a coating made of polychloroprene.
DE-A 1057 639 discloses a multi-layer wall of a connecting corridor that
improves the thermal insulation and the silencing.
DE-C2 2457 634 discloses a cover for a connecting corridor made of
individual swellings which have to constitute, on the outer side of the
vehicle, an essentially smooth surface. The surface of the individual
swellings may hereby be divided on the outer side, in order to facilitate
the deformation of the swellings during corresponding travelling motions
of the vehicles. The function of the swellings is to improve thermal
insulation and silencing as compared with a usual bellows. The
disadvantage is that, due to the division of the swellings in the outer
area, dirt may accumulate very fast in the swellings. This accelerates the
destruction of the bellows.
Another known procedure is to provide particularly fast trains with a
so-called double concertina bellows (EPA1 544 203), in order to screen the
connecting corridor against noises coming from outside. Such a double
concertina bellows essentially consists in two bellows radially arranged
one behind the other. Such a double concertina bellows requires quite a
lot of space, whereas so much space is not very often at disposal, all the
more if the clear corridor between two vehicles that is covered by the
bellows has to be as big as possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a bellows of
the type mentioned above that presents a quality in thermal insulation as
well as in silencing equalling that of a double concertina bellows, but
that requires less space.
The solution of the present invention is to provide, for additional thermal
insulation and silencing, each of the two opposite legs of a bellows
element on their inner side with at least one strap-joint provided with a
coated tissue, whereas the two strap-joints are overlapping. Thanks to one
or two such strap-joints that are fitting snugly to the inner wall of the
bellows element when the bellows is in its initial state or that are
minimally spaced from the inner wall of the bellows element, silencing is
achieved together with simultaneously increased thermal insulation values.
Such a strap-joint is planiform. It extends at least over the height of
the bellows, that is over its side wall area, but preferably over the
complete inner circumference, that is over the side wall area and over the
ceiling area. The initial state of the bellows describes the position the
bellows is occupying when resting, that is when the bellows is neither
expanded nor contracted. The length of the strap-joint is calculated so
that, even if the bellows is expanded, that is when the legs of the
bellows element are no more facing each other, the strap-joint is still
covering in width the major part of the bellows element. The strap-joints
are hereby advantageously arranged in the area of the bow of the bellows
element in order not to hinder the deformation capacity of the bellows,
particularly when driving curves.
According to a particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the
strap-joint is provided with a coating having preferably the design of an
insulating layer, whereas said insulating layer may be sewed or glued on.
Thanks to its relatively high volume weight, such a coating, preferably
made of silicone foam, not only ensures a good silencing but also a very
good thermal insulation.
In order to prevent the coating from eroding because of the relative motion
of the strap-joints relative to each other, the strap-joint is provided on
its free end with a hood-like sleeve that is seizing the strap-joint as
well as the insulating layer.
A strap-joint that has a stability such that it is able to carry the
insulating layer is for example made of a coated, particularly
rubber-impregnated tissue, the same of which the bellows too is made.
According to another feature of the invention, the bellows element is
provided with a cover that may at least protect the strap-joint over the
width of the insulating layer. The function of such a cover is on one hand
to hide the strap-joints, on the other to protect them, and more
particularly the insulating layer, from damage due to external influences.
The cover advantageously has an arch building a hollow space aligned
opposite the bow of the bellows element, whereas this hollow space is
achieving, together with the material of the cover, an additional highly
effective silencing and thermal insulation.
According to another characteristic of the invention, the cover may be
arranged on the strap-joints in such a way that the two strap-joints may
be arranged on the inner wall of a bellows element together with the
cover, actually constituting one unit. The individual bellows elements may
be connected together by riveting, gluing, bonding or similar measures,
the preferred way of connecting them together though consisting in frame
beads of aluminium for example. Hereby, the legs of two bellows elements
and one of the strap-joints may for example be seized by the frame bead
thanks to the fact that the strap-joint arranged on one of the legs of the
bellows element is projecting up to the open end of the bellows element.
This presents the advantage that the strap-joints only have to be arranged
on the one leg of the bellows element by separate measures, for example by
sewing, whereas the strap-joint located on the other leg is seized by a
frame bead or by another similar fastening, being thus fastened in the
course of the connecting process of two bellows elements. The connection
of the two strap-joints by the cover represents an inexpensive but stable
way of connecting the strap-joint to the bellows element that is easy to
build and to operate.
It has to be noted that, when the train is in its normal state, that is in
the position in which it drives with high velocity and in which
correspondingly strong noises are occurring, the arrangement of the
strap-joints and of the cover are ensuring the best possible silencing
with little need of material.
The invention is explained in more details according to the drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a section of two bellows elements of a concertina bellows;
FIG. 2 shows the expanded state of the two bellows elements according to
FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
According to FIG. 1, the bend-shaped bellows elements are designated by
numeral 1; the two strap-joints 10, 20 are surrounded by the bend-shaped
bellows element 1, that is that they are arranged on the inner side of the
bellows element on the legs 4, 5. The strap-joint 10 is hereby sewn on the
bellows element 1 at point 11 so that it is spaced from the end of the
bellows element 1. The strap-joint 10 is consisting in a rubbered tissue
and is provided, on its side facing the inner side of the bellows, with an
insulating layer 12, made for example of a silicone foam. In order to
prevent the insulating layer 12 to erode on the inner wall of the bellows
element 1, a hood-like sleeve 13 has been provided that encompasses the
ends of the strap-joint 10 as well as those of the insulating layer 12.
The sleeve 13 is fastened on strap-joint 10 or on insulating layer 12 by
sewing or gluing.
The strap-joint 20 is projecting up to the end of the bellows element 1 and
may thus be seized by the frame bead 30 (outlined in the figures). On its
inner side, it is provided with an insulating layer 22 made of silicone
foam too. The end of the insulating layer as well as of the strap-joint is
also seized by a sleeve 23.
The two strap-joints 10 and 20 are connected by the cover designated as a
whole with numeral 40, whereas the connection is thus that the cover is
arched inwards in order to constitute a hollow space 45 to the
strap-joints on one hand and in order to offer enough length when the
bellows element is expanding on the other. The cover 40 is fastened by
sewing (arrow 46 and arrow 47) onto the strap-joints 10, 20 just
underneath the insulating layers 12 and 22.
As may be seen in FIG. 1, there is a spacing forming a hollow space 3
between the inner wall of bellows element 1 and strap-joint 10 in the
initial state of the bellows or of the individual bellows elements, that
is in the state in which the bellows is neither contracted nor expanded.
Since the strap-joints 10 and 20 are not directly adjacent but are spaced
at certain places, hollow spaces are taking shape here too. These hollow
spaces are increasing the insulating effect with regard to noises as well
as with regard to temperature just as it is the case with hollow spaces 3
and 45.
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